Toilet Paper and Shower Curtains

In the early  part  of 2006 I teleported off to a live show in SecondLife.  I guess it was more of a house party really.

On the stream were a bunch of people laughing, having a great time and playing some extraordinarily good music in between clinking of glasses and, from what I remember, some dreadful jokes.

Oh yes, and a guy singing a song about toilet paper and shower curtains.

I confess it was probably that song that made me click on the add friend button,

And I did consequently invite that musician  to perform at the official opening of  Menorca.

Not long after the opening, he found himself having to move from the parcel he had rented for his shows and I immediately offered some space on Menorca for him to set up.

Little was I to realise that he would still bloody be here after 4 1/2 years 

Of course I had no idea who this guy really was, only that he was an exceptional musician and singer/ songwriter, with an innate talent for capturing the attention of every audience  and keeping them enthralled to the very end of each set.

I’d like to introduce one of my closest friends DimiVan Ludwig, aka Chris Harlow. Owner of  the Hummingbird Café.

© Courtesy of Hummingbird Cafe Group  Facebook

 He has hosted  the longest running Open Mic  in SecondLife and has probably seen the most  musician debuts in SL there.

© Courtesy of Hummingbird Cafe Group Facebook

Having successfully run the Hummingbird Café on PalTalk for many years, moving it to SL was truly  a great move. 

The  intimate stage area and cosy feel of the whole place has been  one of the big attractions, although after several months of everyone falling into the ‘moat’ by the stage, Chris finally stopped laughing enough  to cover it up.  Although the last time I was there, I  did see that it has come back again, thinly disguised as a rope net.

For Musicians, the Hummingbird Café has what I call a ‘legendary’ status If you haven’t played, there, then you have truly missed out. From the personal introduction of each and every musician by Dimi, and the huge group of regular fans and supporters of not only the music but of the venue itself. Each show is run beautifully and plenty of humour and fun to be had by all.

It  also has a history of 'firsts'. Myself and Melvin Took ( aka Peter Greenstone) did the very first Live singing duet on a daisy-chain  stream there. And many musicians in SL made their debut at the Cafe. 

For a few  lucky chosen musicians, there has been the yearly personal invite from Dimi to Indiana for the Hummingbird Jams.  I have visited Dimi on a couple of occasions. Once when I was in Chicago for the 2007 SLCC and the second time I managed to squeeze an invite for the  infamous Hummingbird  Jams. During both of those times, it struck me just how generous  and wonderful Chris truly is. Imbued with a huge dollop of humour and yet humble in his talent. He even allowed me to interview him. ( under duress and an almighty hangover )

For me,  sharing Menorca with Chris, has been one of the best things  ever. He has been an inspiration, a voice of calm when  I was not, and in every possible way supportive of  all the  madcap ideas and shows I have run.

Menorca is in many ways The Hummingbird Cafe and I owe a lot of the success of the island to that.

The sad part to this  story is that  The Hummingbird Café will close on Oct 31st  2010

 Time seems to have flown by, and whilst the pixels and prims will go, I hope the friendships and memories forged there will remain in place for many years to come.

 I for one, will never forget the Toilet Paper and Shower Curtain song that introduced me to such a wonderful person and, if I could, I would keep Menorca open  for another 4 years  along with DimiVan Ludwig and the Hummingbird Cafe

 I probably haven't done the  Hummingbird or Chris justice by any means in  this post but if  you do have time,  go to the final show on Oct 31 and  take LOTS of pictures and more than anything, enjoy the  music and the company of a very cool guy.